It is now one year since the royal commission into aged care issued a scathing assessment of the state of Australia’s system, pointing to appalling flaws in the quality of care and safety as well as fundamental problems with the way the entire system is designed.
It highlighted instances of deliberate abuse, assault, neglect, inhumane and unsafe practices, improper or inappropriate methods of care, and patent disregard for simple daily issues such as providing a nutritious diet.
These were not random, isolated instances. The royal commissioners said, “substandard care and abuse pervades the Australian aged care system”.
Through 148 recommendations, the commissioners outlined how to rebuild and strengthen the system so elderly Australians could be assured of the high-quality care and support they deserve in their most vulnerable years.
At the time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison hailed the report as providing “a very important road map” but warned it would take “a quite considerable time” to implement the required changes.
A quite considerable time is simply too long. Despite accepting 126 of the 148 recommendations, the federal government’s overall response so far in terms of practical changes has been deeply disappointing.
While the Morrison government has promised to spend an extra $18 billion over five years on aged care, that will only go so far in terms of financing a comprehensive overhaul.
A measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. As a nation we are wealthy enough to ensure our elderly can live with dignity.
The royal commission estimated the $23 billion a year the government contributes to aged care would need be far higher – $30 billion a year – to achieve the recommended changes and bring the sector to a best-class standard.
How that might be funded – through an increase in the Medicare levy or a higher rate of income tax – was a crucial issue on which the two royal commissioners parted opinion.
Elderly Australians deserve comfort and dignity
Source: Philippines Alive
